Dental implant

[DaveR]

Not sure if this should be in another section

Anybody have recent experience of implants, locally or otherwise, and any recommendations? The basic choices seems to be UK or Eastern Europe, and whether to specify a particular manufacturer of implant.

[fl0wer]

A relative [lives in the West Country] had this done replacing an unsound tooth, one of the top 2 front ones which had been re-crowned for years so he knew ahead of time it would need replacing & took out an insurance policy.

Cost over ?1,000 to get done and treatment was spread carefully over quite a few months, didn't suffer pain or infection of any kind. Between whiles the jaw has to settle down and at some point early on there is a compulsory course of antibiotics.

Result, tooth itself is immaculate. The work made an almost imperceptible difference to the nerve/muscle on that side of the upper lip, slightly altering his smile. Reflecting on the depth of the operation, I would say spend the money and go to a dentist someone recommends personally, you want a senior UK practitioner with plenty of experience.

[malumbu]

Do everything you can to keep the tooth. If you lose it then you have a gap (at no extra cost), a bridge (not perfect but you can get one on the state) or an implant if you want to return to full functionality at ???. Cheaper if you go to Hungary but at your risk, although I believe there are private dental practiced based in London but outsource the work abroad and you can get a holiday at the same time.

I am a product of the drill and fill times when 99% of dentistry was on the NHS, dentists drove round in flash cars and drilled whether you needed it or not as that coined the money in. Not an urban myth. Oral health and dentistry much better and my brill dentist has saved teeth (under the NHS) that others wouldn't. Always worth getting a second opinion if they want to yank it out.

[numbers]

there was definitely a thread (or two) on here about dental implants previously which might have some good information about local vs going abroad.

I would echo what flower says above and go with a surgeon personally recommended by your dentist (providing you have faith in your dentist and they're good). The dental implant is moulded and fitted etc by the dentist but the work to prepare the jaw and check whether you have enough bone etc for the implant is done by the surgeon. Your dentist will be best placed to advise on whether an implant is needed or not. Am sure they will be as keen to save the tooth as you will if that is an option.

If you choose to go abroad for the work, be prepared to return there if you needed to have any follow-up work as some surgeons are reluctant to work on (or correct) surgery done by others/other organisations.

[JohnL]

Yep - Agree on the drill and fill

My dentist always drilled the tiniest hole - then later in life the fillings came out.

Around the late 80s I first heard small holes would fill themselves.

malumbu Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Do everything you can to keep the tooth. If you

> lose it then you have a gap (at no extra cost), a

> bridge (not perfect but you can get one on the

> state) or an implant if you want to return to full

> functionality at ???. Cheaper if you go to

> Hungary but at your risk, although I believe there

> are private dental practiced based in London but

> outsource the work abroad and you can get a

> holiday at the same time.

>

> I am a product of the drill and fill times when

> 99% of dentistry was on the NHS, dentists drove

> round in flash cars and drilled whether you needed

> it or not as that coined the money in. Not an

> urban myth. Oral health and dentistry much better

> and my brill dentist has saved teeth (under the

> NHS) that others wouldn't. Always worth getting a

> second opinion if they want to yank it out.